Extension fire-ladder and truck



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. G. SCHMIDT. EXTENSION FIRE LADDER AND TRUCK.

No. 437,625. Patented Sept.,30, 1890.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. o. SCHMIDT.

EXTENSION FIRE LADDER AND TRUCK.

No. 437,625. Patented Sept. 30, 1890.

(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet s.

Q H. o. SCHMIDT. EXTENSION FIRE LADDER AND TRUCK.

No.Y 437,625. Patented sept.v 3o, 1890,

(No Model.)v H. O. SCHMIDT.

4 sheetssheep 4.`

EXTENSION FIRE LADDER AND TRUCK.

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EFIIIIIIIIIIII UNITED *STATES* VPari-Zivi OFFICE.

HERMAN C. SCHMIDT, OF JOHNSTOvVN, NEV YORK.

EXTENSION FIRE-LADDER AND TRUCK.

CPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,625, datedSeptember 30, 1890.A

Application filed November 20, 1889. Serial No. 330,996. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, HERMAN C. SCHMIDT, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Johnstown, in the county of Fulton and State of NewYork, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in ExtensionFire-Ladders and Trucks; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to improvements in extension fire-ladders andtrucks; and it consist-s in the novel' features of construction and newcombination'of parts hereinafter more fully described, and definitelypointed out in the claims.

In' the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of theforward part of a truck and extension-ladders constructed in accordancewith my invention, the ladders being shown lowered in full lines andraised in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is adetail View of the mechanism by which the lower ladder-sections areraised and lowered. Fig. 4: yis a side elevation of the rear portion ofthe truck. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 is a crosssectionon the line at, Fig. 5,looking toward the front. Figs. 7 and 8 aredetail views showing the manner of securing the rounds to the lower ortruss ladder. Figs. 9 and 10 are `side and end views, respectively, ofthe means for securing the sections of the lower ladder vertically andlaterally, the rods se curing the sides laterally also serving as guidesfor the upper ladder. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the rings whichsupport and carry the ladders. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective View ofthe tillermans seat.

In thesaid drawings, the reference-numerals 1 and 2 denote the axles,and 3 the supporting-wheels. To these axles are secured the springs 4 4,which support the lower sections 5 5 of a turn-table, being securedrigidly thereto.

6 6 designate the upper sections of the turn-tables, which are securedto the supporting-rails 7 7 by means of the arms or `braces 8 S, whichare firmly secured thereto and to the sections 6 6. These rails 7 7 areparallel to each other, connecting the front and rear turn-tables andwheels and axles together and form the main frame of the truck. Theupper and lower sections of the turn-tables consist of circular'platesor rims pivoted together at their centers, so that the lower section,carrying the axles and Wheels, may readily turn on said pivots,so as toguide the truck and enable it to make short turns.

To the forward ends of the'rails 7 7 an annular or dat ring 9 is securedby means of screw-bolts 10. Mounted upon this annulus 9 is anotherannulus 11, which is capable of freely revolving thereupon. This annulus1l consists of an upper ring 12, a dependingl wall 13, and a lower ring14E, of less diameter. than ring 12, thus forming a peripheral groove15, within which the' annulus 9 is received, thus enabling the upperannulus 11 to freely revolve upon the annulus 9 without any danger ofbeing displaced by the Weight of the ladders.

16 16 designate four upwardly-projecting.

lugs, secured to the annulus l1 and carrying the screw-threaded bars 1717, which can freely apices-of the triangular frames 25 25. It should behere stated that the distance between the triangular frames 22 22 is alittle greater than the widthv of the ladder, the lower ends of whichare embraced between them. The rear ends of frames 25 25 are connectedtogether by means of across-bar 26 below the lower section 27 of thetrussladder 28,and pivoted to these Vends are. thel arms 29 29, whichextend upwardly and are secured to the pivotal cross-bar 30, having itsbearings in the journals 31,securedto the upper section 32 of the trussor lowerladder.

Pivoted to the cross-bar are the short. arms 24 24, which are alsopivoted to the ICO The front ends of the frames 25 25 are provided withscrew-threaded lugs 25at 25a, pivotally secured thereto, through whichthe screw-bars 17 pass. The lower ends of the truss or lower ladder arepivoted in the crossbar 33, pivoted-in the sides of frame 22. The upperand lower sections 32 and 27 of the truss-ladder are united by thedouble T- plates, which consist of a vertical portion/34 and horizontalwebs 35, the latter being provided with apertures for the passage of thescrew-bolts, which also pass through the side rails of the ladders andare secured by the binding-nuts 37. These plates are connected laterallyby means of the upper and lower .cross-bars 38 38, secured to saidplates. The rounds 39 of the ladder are` secured to the uppertruss-section by means of sockets 40, consisting of a plate 41, havingholes for the passage of screws or other fastening devices, and acentral recessed boss 42, in which the ends of the round are inserted.The cross-bar 33 can be revolved in the frames 22, and for this purposeis provided at either or both ends with pinions 43, engaging withpinions 44 on the shafts 45, which are turned or rotated by cranks 46 orotherwise. Mounted'centrally upon the pivot-bar 33 is a sprocket-wheel47, over which passes a sprocket chain 48. The sprocket chain passesupward or backward to near the rear end of the truss-ladder and passesover another sprocket-wheel49, rigidly mounted upon a pivot-bar 50,pivoted inthe side rails or lower sections of the truss-ladder. The endsof the sprocket-chain are connected together by means of a link or bar51, secured to the lower rounds of the upper ladder 52. This ladder 52is of ordinary construction, consistingof side rails connected togetherby the usual round. The extreme rear ends of the -upper and lowersections of the truss-ladder are secured together by means ofclampingbars 53 and bolts and nuts 54 and 55, and to these bars aresecured or formed therewith the lugs 56 56, having apertures, throughwhich pass the screw-threaded rods 57 57. These rods 57 are providedwith hand-nuts 58 58, havingscrew-threaded apertures, by means of whichthey are adjustable vertically upon the said bars, whereby their heightabove the ladder may be regulated. At their upper ends the -bars 57 areprovided with sheave wheels or rollers 59 59, over which the tensionchains or ropes 60 60 pass. These tension chains or ropes at their leverends are secured to the lower ends of the upper ladder and pass upwardlyunder tne rollers 61 61,

mounted on cross-bar 61a, pivoted in the` truss-ladder over the sheaves59 to the upper or rear ends of the upper ladder, where they aresecured.

vMy improved brake mechanism is constructed as follows: Secured to therear of the lower section 5 of the front turn-table of the front aXleare the arms 62 62, in which is pivoted a transverse bar 63, having itsends bent downwardly, forming short arms 64 64, which carry thebrake-shoes 65 65. Rigidly secured at the center of bar 63 is the bentlever 66,

which extends downwardly a short .distance and then forwardly, where itis secured to the vertical cranked 'rod 67. The upper end of the rod 67is secured to the horizontal lever 68, which is fulcrumed at or near itscenter to the upper annulus 11, so as to be movable vertically upon itsfulcrum, and its forward end is bent upwardly into a foot-lever 69.

Secured to the rear of the main or side rails of the truck is the framefor supporting the tillermans sliding seat. This frame consists ofthedouble bifurcated side 'arms 70, secured at their lower bifurcated endsto the main rails 7 7 bymeans of bolts and nuts, and are connectedtogether laterally by the transverse bar 72. The upper bifurcated endsof the supporting-arms 70 71 are provided with holes or apertures forthe passage of the rods 74 74, which are united near their inner ends bythe rod 75, pivoted-therein, said rod 75 being extended overhorizontally beyond the rods 74. The rod 75 is swung over the end of theopposite supporting-arms 71, so as to engage therewith and hold theseat-frame securelyin place. The seat-frame is composed of the twoparallel cross-bars 76, having their ends bent downward and securedtothe yends of rods 74 74, said bars 76 being united centrally by theconnecting-bar 77, which carries the seat 78 at its rear end. At itsforward end this bar is `provided with a socket 79, through which thetiller-shaft 8O passes, the lower end of which` engages with a socketedshaft 81, secured to the upper' section of the turn-table, and carryingat its lower end a pinion engaging with a segment secured to the lowersection of the turn-table, and by means of which the axle and wheels maybe turned through the medium yof the tillerwheel 84.

The numerals 85 designate central and rear endcross-b'ars, uniting rails7 7 and proj ectiug above the top thereof, so as to support and formrests for the ladders.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: In its normal position thetruss-ladder is lowered, resting upon the central bar 85 of the siderails 7, the upper ladder also being lowered and embraced Within thetruss-ladder. The seat-frame is extended inward and above the ladders,with the cross-bar 75 turned over the ends of the opposite side arms 71and the free ends of the rods 74 resting in the apertures therein. Whenit is desired to raise the ladders, the tiller is irst unshipped and thebar 75 released from engagement with side arms' 7l by turning it upwardupon its pivots and the seat-frame slid back out of the way,

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the rods 74 sliding in' the apertures in the side arms 70, thus allowinga free passageway for the movement of the ladders. Shaft 20 is novi7revolved by means of cranks or other suitable instruments, causing arotary motion to be impartedto the screw rods or bars 17 through themedium 18 and 19. This rotary motion of rods 17 causes the lugs 25a,secured L to lever or front end of frames 25, to be moved tended asfollows: Sprocket-wheel 47 on bar 33 is revolved by means of cranks 46on shafts 45 through the medium of pinions 43 and 44. This rotation ofsprocket-wheel 47 causes link 51 of sprocket-chain 48 to be movedupwardly, carrying with itthe upper ladder 52, which is guided in itsupward movement vby the guides formed by the cross-bars of double T-plate, which connect the upper and lower sections of the truss-ladder.

The tension chains or ropes 60 serve to give rigidity tothe upper ladderand prevent anyl bulging or bending thereof.

'The ladders may be provided with guy ropes'or chains to prevent lateralswaying.

A reversal of the operations above described will-lower the ladders andcause them to assume their normal positions.

The brakes are operated as follows: When it is desired to apply thesame, the foot-lever 69 is depressed, which elevates the rear end oflever 68, elevating the cranked rod 67, which in turn elevat-es thefront end of bent lever 66, which, being rigidly connected withtransverse bar 63, causes the latter to turn slightly in its pivotalbearings, and thus bring the brake-shoes in contact with the wheels.

The apparatus is simple in its construction, and will be found veryefficient in operation, as the ladders can be elevated or extended withease in avery short time and be lowered with equal facility.

The annular ring by which theladders are supported and carried ismovable or revoluble upon the lower ring,.so that the ladders can bereadily turned to any point of the compass desired, thus enablingdifferent buildings lor different parts of a building to be reachedwithout disturbing the truck.

The parts of the apparatus by which the ladders are operated, beinglocated low down or near the ground, will enable the persons operatingthe same to do so without mounting the apparatus.

The invention possesses other advantages not herein enumerated, butwhich will be manifest to those who have a knowledge of the requirementsof this class of apparatus, and therefore do not need t-o be set forth.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States- 1. The combination, with the ringsor anmili 9 and 11, the latter being revoluble upon the former andhaving thev lugs 16 16, and the frames 22 22, of the screw rods or bars17 '17, working in said lugs, the truss-ladder pivoted in frames 22 22,and frames 25 25, secured to said ladders and pivoted in frames 22 22and engaging with Screw rods or bars 17 17, substantially as described.

' 2.*The combination, with the rings -or annuli 9 and 11, the latterbeing revoluble upon the former and provided with lugs`1`6 16, the screwrods or bars 17 17, working in saidlugs,

and the frames 22 22, united by cross-bar 23,

of thetruss-ladder pivoted in'said frames 22 22, the frames 25 25,pivotally connected to the truss-ladder, and the screw-threaded lugsv25a 25a, pivoted to the front` lower end of frames 25 25 and with whichthe screw-rods 17 17 engage, substantially as described. 3. Thecombination, with the rings or anf nuli 9and 11, the latter beingrevoluble upon the former and provided with lugs 16 16,'the screw rodsor bars 17 17, working in said lugs, and the frames 22 22, united bycross-bar 23,

l of the truss-ladder having depending pivoted =arms 29 29, the frame 2525, pivoted to arms 29 29, the arms 24 24, pivoted to frames 25 25 and22 22, and the lugs 25a 25a, secured to frame 25 25 and engaging withscrew-rods 17 17, substantially as described.

4. Thecombination, with the rings or annuli 9 and 11, the latter beingrevoluble upon the former and provided with lugs 16 16,screw`' rods 1717, having pinions 18 18, and the shaft 20,having pinions 19 19 meshingwith pinions l18 18, of thev truss-ladder pivoted in frame 22 22, theframes 2525, pivoted connections 29 29 and 24 24, and the lugs 25ad 25a,engaging with screw-rods 17 17, substantially as described. y I

5. The combination, with the rings or annuli 9 and 11, the latter beingrevoluble Vupon.

the former and provided with lugs 16 16, the screw bars or rods 17 17,and frames 22, of the truss-ladder, the frame 25 25, the pivotedconnections 29 and 24, thelugs 25aL 25a,the pivotbar 33, sprocket-wheels47 and 49, sprocketchain 48, and the upper ladder 52, connected with thesprocket-chain, substantially asl described.

6. The combination, with the rings or an- IOO IIO

nuli 9 and 11, the latter being revoluble upon the former and providedwith lugs 16 16, the screw-bars 17 17, having pinions 18 18, the shaft20, having pinions 19 19, the frames 22 22, having pivot-bar 33,provided with pinions 43 43, and the shafts 45 45, having' pinions 4444, of the truss-ladder pivoted in frame 25 25, the sprocket-wheels 47and 49, the sprocketchain 48, and the upper ladder 52, to Which thesprocket-chain is secured, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the truss-ladder and the extension or upperladder 52 and means, substantially as described, for operating the same,of the lugs 56 56, secured to the rear or upper ends of thetruss-ladder, the rods 57 57, having sheaves 59 59, and the tensionchains or ropes 60 60, secured to the truss and extension ladders andpassing over sheaves 57 57, substantially as specied.

8. The combination, with the truss-ladder and the extension or upperladder 52v and means, substantially as described, for operating thesame, of the lugs 56 `56, secured to the truss-ladder, thescrew-threaded rods 57 57, having sheaves 59 59, the hand-nuts 58 58,and the tension chains or ropes 60 60, secured to the truss andextension ladders, substantially as described.

9. The combination, With the truss-ladder and the upper or extensionladder 52 and means, substantially as described, for operating the same,of the lugs 56 56, secured to the truss-ladder and having lcentralapertures, the screw-threaded rods 57 57, having sheaves 59 59, thescrew-threaded hand-nuts 58 58, en-

gaging with rods 5757, the cross-bar 61, pivoted in the truss-ladder andcarrying the rollers 61 6l, and the tension chains or ropes 60 60,substantially as specified.

10. The combination, with the upper and lower sections 32 and 27 of thetruss-ladder, of the double T-plates consisting ot' a vertical portion34 and horizontal Webs 35, secured to said sections, and the cross-bars38 38, secured to said plates, substantially as described.

11. The combination, With the side rails 7 7 of the truck, of the sidearms 70, secured at their lower ends to said side rails, and their upperends carrying a laterally-sliding seatframe, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the side rails 7 7 of the truck, of the sidearms 70 70, secured at their lower ends to the said side rails andhaving their upper ends perforated or provided With apertures 73, andthe transverse rods'74 74, movable or slidable in said apertures andsupporting the seatframe, substantially as described. v

13. The combination, with the side rails 7 7 0f the truck, of the sidearms 70, secured at their lower ends to the side rails and having theirupper or free ends provided with'apertures 73, the transverse rods 7474, movable or slidable in said apertures, and the crossbars 76 7 6,forming the seat-frame, connected With rods 74 74, substantially asdescribed.

14. The combination, with the side rails 7 7 of the truck, of the sidearms 70 70, secured at their lower ends to the side rails and havingtheir upper or free ends provided with apertures 73 7 3, the transverserods 74 74, movable or slidable' in said apertures,y the cross-bars 7676, forming the seat-frame, connected with said rods 74 74, and thehorizontal pivoted rod 7 5,'adapted to secure and hold the seat-frame inplace, substantially as described.

15. The combination, With lthe side rails 7 7 of the truck, of the sidearms 70 7 O, having apertures 73 73, the transverse rods 74 74, thecross-bar 76 7 6, the pivoted rod 75, the con-v necting-bar'7 7, theseat 78, the socket 79, and tiller-shatt 80, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto aiixedmy signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HERMAN C. SCHMIDT. Witnesses:

ALEXANDER HANcooK, OLIVER M. BERRY.

